Lakers express interest in Knicks star Shumpert

The Los Angeles Lakers are the latest team to express an interest in Iman Shumpert, reports suggest.

According to sources cited by ESPN, the Lakers have made contact with the New York Knicks over the 23-year-old shooting guard but no deal or trade is believed to be in the offing just yet.

The Lakers will presumably face stiff competition to land Shumpert, however, with the Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets also reportedly having held talks over a potential trade.

Shumpert, taken by the Knicks with the 17th overall pick out of Georgia Tech in 2011, is a valued member of Mike Woodson's squad at Madison Square Garden yet has typically struggled with injury since entering the NBA.

In 127 career games, the former Yellow Jacket is averaging eight points, 2.2 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Having started all 23 of the Knicks' games so far this season, he is currently averaging 6.6 ppg as Woodson's men have abjectly failed to live up to the lofty expectations imposed upon them after an eye-catching 2012/13 regular season campaign.

Following their 106-101 win over Al Horford and the Atlanta Hawks this weekend, the Knicks lie 12th in the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 7-16. They return to action on Monday night with another home tie against the Washington Wizards.

The Lakers' apparent interest in adding another backcourt piece is certainly no surprise, with Steve Blake joining fellow point guards Steve Nash and Jordan Farmar on the sidelines for up to six weeks with a torn ligament with his right elbow.

With only Kobe Bryant and Jodie Meeks left to look after the ball, it is crucial to their hopes for the season that the former is not under too much pressure to perform heroics following his recent return from a lengthy lay-off.

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